Recent earthquakes in Hawaii
Hawaii's earthquakes are driven mainly by volcanic activity and the weight of the islands on the Pacific Plate, rather than by a plate boundary. Magma movement beneath Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and stresses deep beneath the islands, generate frequent earthquakes. The 1868 Kaʻū earthquake (about M7.9) and the 2018 Kīlauea eruption sequence (M6.9) were major events. In the past 24 hours, Hawaii has recorded 2 earthquakes, the largest an M3.6 (39 km SSE of Mākena, Hawaii).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.6 | Jul 29, 00:16 UTC | 31 km | 39 km SSE of Mākena, Hawaii |
| M2.7 | Jul 28, 15:13 UTC | 30 km | 5 km S of Pāhala, Hawaii |
| M2.6 | Jul 27, 16:25 UTC | 49 km | 4 km SW of Pāhala, Hawaii |
| M2.5 | Jul 27, 12:26 UTC | 43 km | 11 km ESE of Pāhala, Hawaii |
| M2.5 | Jul 27, 12:17 UTC | 47 km | 6 km NNE of Naalehu, Hawaii |
| M3.0 | Jul 26, 20:30 UTC | 24 km | 21 km SE of Waikoloa, Hawaii |
| M2.7 | Jul 24, 20:21 UTC | 29 km | 2 km SSW of Pāhala, Hawaii |
| M2.9 | Jul 22, 20:38 UTC | 32 km | 2 km SSW of Pāhala, Hawaii |
Notable recent activity
An M3.6 earthquake struck 39 km SSE of Mākena, Hawaii at 00:16 UTC on Jul 29 at a depth of 31 km.
An M3.0 earthquake struck 21 km SE of Waikoloa, Hawaii at 20:30 UTC on Jul 26 at a depth of 24 km.
An M2.9 earthquake struck 2 km SSW of Pāhala, Hawaii at 20:38 UTC on Jul 22 at a depth of 32 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Hawaii have earthquakes?
Most of Hawaii's earthquakes are tied to its volcanoes — caused by magma moving underground and by the immense weight of the islands flexing the Pacific Plate. This makes the Big Island, home to active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the most seismically active.
Are Hawaii's earthquakes linked to eruptions?
Frequently, yes. Swarms of earthquakes often accompany magma movement before and during eruptions, as during Kīlauea's 2018 activity. Larger earthquakes can also result from the volcanic edifices shifting on the underlying crust.
What was the biggest earthquake in Hawaii?
The April 2, 1868 Kaʻū earthquake on the Big Island, estimated at magnitude 7.9, is the largest in Hawaii's recorded history and caused a deadly tsunami and landslides. The May 4, 2018 magnitude 6.9 earthquake accompanied Kīlauea's eruption.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.